Chapter 47
Chapter 47 A Death in Building Three
Living on with such humiliation would hurt worse than death.
Cedric turned cautiously to the other two men.
“How are we supposed to write these experiences and feelings p>
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Although they lived under the same roof, this was a secret that belonged only to the three of them.
Even Lyra knew nothing of it.
Draven replied lazily, “Experiences? What experiences do we have in here? Aren’t we just eating, sleeping, and waiting to die p>
Cedric pressed on, “What about our feelings p>
Amusement laced Draven’s tone. “I can’t tell you what you feel p>
Cedric caught the hidden meaning behind his words and tried to persuade Felix.
“Felix, write your report properly. Finish it early, and Lyra might come back sooner p>
He raised his voice so the men on the lower floors could hear.
Felix made a lazy, noncommittal hum, occupied with something unknown.
The rest listened quietly to their exchange.
Lucian could not hold back his curiosity. “Why does Hadrien only demand statements from the three of you p>
Cedric fell silent instantly.
Draven drawled a reply. “Maybe because the three of us are the most handsome, and he’s jealous p>
Lucian let out a snort of laughter.
He stroked his chin, dark glints flickering within his slitted fox eyes.
“Now it hits me. You three spent more time around Lyra than anyone else p>
He frowned in confusion. “What connection could that have p>
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Chapter 47 A Death in Building Three
Draven cut off his train of thought. “Plenty of us spoke with her p>
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Felix grinned and jumped in. “Hey, didn’t someone try to earn points off borrowed favors, calling it the start of a friendship?
“You ought to turn in a report too p>
Lucian’s attention shifted. He tossed back Draven’s own line.
“Too bad. Hadrien only wants the top three p>
Felix sounded smug. “Then I’m truly honored p>
Kyren shot back with cold sarcasm. “Honor indeed. One that could get people killed without consequence p>
Felix played dumb. “Get who killed? Who’s dead p>
Buzz-
The instant the words left his mouth, an alarm blared throughout the building. Every talking Sentinel fell quiet.
Moments later, steady, synchronized footsteps echoed, heading straight for the third floor.
Shortly after, several guards carried a stretcher downward.
A still shape lay covered beneath a white sheet.
Another guy had died.
No final words, and no one even knew who it was.
They had grown familiar with that alarm, the signal marking a life extinguished.
Arthur stepped to his cell door.
“Who was it p>
Building Three held dozens of Sentinels, with new arrivals each week.
The guards could not keep track of every face.
All they said was, “Cell 303 p>
Arthur lapsed into silence.
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Chapter 47 A Death in Building Three
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Those housed on the third floor were either relocated after losing control and slipping into feral transformation or moved ahead of time once their contamination readings neared the critical threshold.
At first, some could still hold simple conversations.
After a while, their words stopped making sense.
With constant arrivals and losses, none of them kept track of exactly who occupied the upper cells.
Once the guards departed, Cedric spoke up suddenly. “When Lyra comes back… don’t tease her. Treat her right p>
No one took the out-of-the-blue comment seriously.
For one thing, Cedric’s image as a deeply ingrained nice guy was too strong.
For another, they assumed he feared another incident like this one and wanted to warn them in advance.
That was exactly why Draven said nothing to interrupt him.
So nice guys were not all fools after all.
Elsewhere, Jessa left work early to find Lyra again.
“Lyra, time to eat p>
Lyra stood, gave her a pained smile, shook her head, and waved for Jessa to go ahead without her.
Jessa frowned.
“They stuck you with cleaning all alone again p>
Lyra walked closer and wrote on her notepad.
“No. Supervisors came for an inspection today. Everyone finished their tasks before clocking
out p>
Jessa glared.
“Don’t lie to me. The kitchen’s still a mess. Why wasn’t I left scrubbing it?
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Chapter 47 A Death in Building Three
“Those people bully whoever’s weak. Just wait p>
She turned, furious and ready to confront them.
Lyra hurried forward, grabbing her arm and shaking her head vigorously.
She wanted no fights over trivial matters.
She admitted she was a coward.
Whenever conflict arose, her first instinct was to back away, to avoid trouble.
Jessa looked at her, frustrated beyond words.
“What are you scared of them for?
“If something’s wrong, you have every right to say so p>
Lyra clung to her sleeve, gaze pleading.
“Jessa, let it go. I’m fine. Cleaning is simple work; I can handle it p>
Jessa’s expression hardened.
“This isn’t about cleaning p>
She poked Lyra lightly on the forehead.
“I thought you had better sense, but you’re being foolish.
“They clearly pick on you because you’re new, with no influence to back you up.
“Have backing down made them stop? Not one bit!
“They’ll only grow bolder and push you further. Do
you understand?
“We’re all workers here. What are you afraid of p>
Lyra hung her head submissively, listening without protest.
Her demeanor only stoked Jessa’s anger.
She cupped Lyra’s jaw and forced her to meet her eyes.
“Tell me, why are you tolerating them excluding you p>
Lyra glanced up hesitantly, then wrote on her pad.
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Chapter 47 A Death in Building Three
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“You’re no longer in charge here. I’m afraid if you stand up for me, they’ll target you too p>
After reading the note, Jessa nearly boiled over.
“You absolute fool!
“What harm could they possibly do to me p>
Seeing Lyra’s guilty, silent face, she could not bear to shout any louder.
She let out a heavy sigh.
“Quit this habit of swallowing every slight!
“Do you think I’ve survived all these years by letting people walk all over me p>
Jessa tugged Lyra toward the exit.
“Come eat first. We can deal with this afterward p>
Lyra pressed her lips tight and glanced uneasily over her shoulder.
Jessa reassured her. “What are you worrying about? This was never solely your responsibility. If
management asks questions, we’ll see who ends up taking the blame p>
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Feral Sentinels Obey Only Her
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.